National Search for City Engineer

I was invited to speak about my experience as an intern at a Human Resource (HR) luncheon. I sat next to Dr. Cayer and the Avondale HR director who was filling in for my supervisor. What a stroke of luck to have had that opportunity! Whatever I said that day really must have moved my HR director because she invited me to assist with the recruitment of our City Engineer. (Thanks Dr. Vanacour for choosing me to participate in that event!)

Next day, I'm sitting with the HR Analyst who had me writing up the job description, posting it to our web page and advertising it on engineering association/organization web sites. The position was held open for a couple of weeks and then it closed with 80 applications. I was then allowed to review the applications to make sure the candidates met the qualifications. You wouldn't believe some of the applicants. Let's just say some people really do just apply for anything. Going through the applications was very entertaining. After reviewing them, I had to input all the data for the second review. I would say the number of applicants dropped to less than half of the initial 80.

I believe we invited about 7 candidates to interview. However, only 3 accepted. It takes a lot of work to prepare for these interviews. You have to get staff for the panel interview and PowerPoint presentations and coordinate schedules. In addition, our Assistant City Manager wanted a tour to be provided and lunch with the candidates and engineering staff. Then, for the candidates we had to book flights and make hotel/vehicle reservations. Then, we had to make a binder for every staff member with all the information for each candidate. We had to make sure that the schedule for the day had correct times for where the candidates needed to be. It was crazy.

It was all worth it when I got to sit in on the interviews and presentations. Its much nicer when you are on the other side of the table. However, the highlight of that day was when I was asked by the City Manager what I thought about the final two candidates and who would I choose. I gave him an honest response. Needless to say, they offered the position to the person I had selected. I'm glad I voiced my opinion in that meeting.